Ill Cisse skips training, but will he be back for England?

SENEGAL boss Aliou Cisse sparked intrigue on the eve of today’s clash with England by pulling out of his pre-match media duties, claiming to be unwell with a fever and unable to take training for two days.

‘He has been sick for a couple of days,’ said assistant manager Regis Bogaert. ‘He had a temperature so we had to be careful. Hopefully, he will be on the bench. We are sure he’ll be there with the team.’

Cisse was captain in 2002 when Senegal made the World Cup quarter-finals. Manager since 2015, he has qualified for successive World Cup finals and led them to a first Africa Cup of Nations in February.

For them to be without the 46year-old on the touchline would be a big blow. FIFA have recommended teams follow a Covid testing programme but it is not mandatory.

‘I know him very well and knew him as a player,’ said Bogaert, who managed Senegal for two years from 2012. ‘I have worked for years as his assistant. We talk a lot and try to implement the project he launched. He has tremendous energy.

‘When he knows where he wants to go, he gives everything and has the capacity to learn and apply the lessons. He always tells you directly what’s in his mind. He is frank and honest and players appreciate that.

‘He has already left a mark on the Senegal team, he has been in the role since 2015 and not many international coaches have been in the role for that long.’

Perhaps there is an element of mind games regarding Cisse’s absence. Senegal have certainly not embraced their media relations during this tournament.

They were fined more than £8,500 for not providing a player for a press conference ahead of playing Ecuador. This time, they sent thirdchoice goalkeeper Alfred Gomis to field questions alongside Bogaert.

At another media event there were four squad players, none of them expected to start today. It is as if Cisse and his best players have taken themselves out of the spotlight to focus purely on England.

A quiet confidence is emanating, encouraged by other African nations. Morocco beat Belgium to top their group, Tunisia defeated France and Cameroon beat Brazil.

‘It’s a trend we’ve seen for some time and will see more,’ said Bogaert. ‘I’ve been in Africa for a long time now and it’s down to the ability of teams to create their own African identity, with African coaches.

‘I’m convinced in the near future, African teams will go very, very far in World Cups.’